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Can HIV Be Transmitted Through Contact Of Bodily Fluid In The Eye?
Posted on
Thu, 18 May 2017
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 18 May 2017
Answered on
Fri, 9 Jun 2017
Last reviewed on
Question : Hi, I'm a current phlebotomy student and while learning how to transfer blood plasma to a vial with a pipette I wasn't sure but thought some could have gotten in my eye. My anxiety is sky high about it and the disease I could get from it. There is no way to find the person as the vials we randomly drawn and given out.
Brief Answer:
Please see the detailed answer below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello! I have been through your question.
Related your concern you should know that the most probably infection you can get after splashing body liquids in the eyes (in any mucous membrane) is transmission of HIV, hepatitis B or C . So, based on this I suggest to test for HEP B, C and HIV.
Furthermore it is known that less often some types of Leishmania parasites also may be spread via contaminated needles (needle sharing) or blood transfusions.
I hope my answer helps you.
Regards.
Please see the detailed answer below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello! I have been through your question.
Related your concern you should know that the most probably infection you can get after splashing body liquids in the eyes (in any mucous membrane) is transmission of HIV, hepatitis B or C . So, based on this I suggest to test for HEP B, C and HIV.
Furthermore it is known that less often some types of Leishmania parasites also may be spread via contaminated needles (needle sharing) or blood transfusions.
I hope my answer helps you.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
It won't show up right away correct. So when should I be tested and out of the clear?
Brief Answer:
Yes you should test after some weeks to get an accurate result.
Detailed Answer:
Hello! I have been through your question.
I am sorry for my late response.
In your situation, according the guidelines I suggest first to test right away with anti HCV, HBsAg, and HIV rapid test and AST, ALT to exclude a possible previous infection from Hep B, C and HIV.
Furthermore you should test with HBsAg after 4 weeks because HBsAg will be detected in an infected person’s blood an average of 4 weeks after exposure to the virus.
As well for HCV infection can be detected by anti-HCV test 4–10 weeks after infection and HCV RNA qualitative appears in blood and can be detected as early as 2–3 weeks after infection.
According the HIV you should know that it can take 3 to 12 weeks for a person’s body to make enough antibodies for an antibody test to detect HIV infection.
So based on this I suggest to do a 4th generation test after 6 weeks( 12 weeks to be conclusive) because it can take 2 to 6 weeks for a person’s body to make enough antigens and antibodies for a combination test to detect HIV infection.
I hope my answer helps you.
Regards.
Yes you should test after some weeks to get an accurate result.
Detailed Answer:
Hello! I have been through your question.
I am sorry for my late response.
In your situation, according the guidelines I suggest first to test right away with anti HCV, HBsAg, and HIV rapid test and AST, ALT to exclude a possible previous infection from Hep B, C and HIV.
Furthermore you should test with HBsAg after 4 weeks because HBsAg will be detected in an infected person’s blood an average of 4 weeks after exposure to the virus.
As well for HCV infection can be detected by anti-HCV test 4–10 weeks after infection and HCV RNA qualitative appears in blood and can be detected as early as 2–3 weeks after infection.
According the HIV you should know that it can take 3 to 12 weeks for a person’s body to make enough antibodies for an antibody test to detect HIV infection.
So based on this I suggest to do a 4th generation test after 6 weeks( 12 weeks to be conclusive) because it can take 2 to 6 weeks for a person’s body to make enough antigens and antibodies for a combination test to detect HIV infection.
I hope my answer helps you.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Answered by
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